BBC StoryWorks x Onitsuka Tiger — Production Support and Crew in Tottori
BBC StoryWorks came to Alphabet Productions for film production support in Japan on “Made in Tottori”, a video content project for Onitsuka Tiger. The story is about the brand's new factory in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, where its Japan-made shoes are produced. The director worked remotely from overseas whilst provided the team on the ground. A fixer producer, A DOP, camera operator, camera assistant and sound operator as well as providing research, translation and paperwork.
The brief
The call came a couple of days before Christmas, for a shoot in January 2026, in the first days of the new year. That is the busiest and hardest time of year to book crew in Japan. Over the holiday we put the crew together, worked directly with Onitsuka Tiger in Japanese, and kept BBC StoryWorks updated across time zones, often through the night.
How we produced it
Our producer/fixer and DOP travelled to Tottori first for a location scout at the factory. Before the shoot we ran pre-interviews with the people at the factory, in Japanese, and reported back in English. That let the remote director find the story and shape the interview questions before the cameras arrived.
The following week a five-person crew travelled down for the shoot: producer/fixer, DOP, camera operator, camera assistant and sound operator. They filmed the making of the shoe on the factory floor, the interviews, and the event that opened the factory and launched the shoe. Andrew Goldie filmed B-roll of the surrounding area.
We also handled the release forms: every factory worker and interviewee on camera signed one, explained to them in Japanese.
What we delivered
All footage and sound from the shoot, plus English translations and full transcripts of everything filmed, so the BBC StoryWorks team could edit without a Japanese speaker in the room. BBC StoryWorks made the final edit.
Watch the finished film, Made in Tottori, on BBC StoryWorks.
Planning a shoot outside the big cities? See our production support in Japan. For another regional job with a visiting team, see UFC 328 Countdown in Okinawa.
Client: BBC StoryWorks, for Onitsuka Tiger
Location: Onitsuka Innovative Factory, Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, Japan
Services: Production support, fixer, bilingual crew, location scouting, pre-interviews, translation and transcripts, talent release forms, crew travel and logistics
Crew: Producer/fixer, DOP, camera operator, camera assistant, sound operator
Deliverables: Factory, interview, event and B-roll footage; English translations and transcripts
You can see the video via this link and stills from the video below.
